Use of hydrogen peroxide-producing bacteria for tooth whitening

Abstract

The invention provides compositions and methods for whitening teeth of a subject comprising administering one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial strains to an oral cavity of a subject.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for whitening teeth of a subject having stained teeth comprising administering a composition comprising one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial species or strains to stained teeth of a subject, wherein the stained teeth are whitened. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial species or strains are  Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria,  viridans  Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Lactococcus , or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial species or strains are (a) one or more isolated  Streptococcus oralis  strains, or (b) one or more isolated strains of  Streptococcus uberis , or (c) a combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial species or strains are administered solely to the tooth surfaces and soft tissues directly surrounding the tooth surfaces of an oral cavity of the subject. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the subject about once or twice a day, about once a week, or about once a month. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more lactate dehydrogenase-deficient  mutans Streptococcus  species or strains. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the one or one or more lactate dehydrogenase-deficient  mutans Streptococcus  species comprise  Streptococcus rattus.    
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more carbon sources that are metabolizable by the one or more isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial species or strains. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the use of a barrier layer to hold the composition in contact with the teeth. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the barrier layer comprises a dental treatment tray including at least one side wall and a bottom wall defining a U-shaped or L-shaped trough. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the barrier layer comprises a flexible strip.